Fantôme Printemps

Brewed by Brasserie Fantôme
Style: Saison
Soy-Erezée, Belgium

some lemony flavors that go with the spring feel of this beer. it’s like fantome always knows what exactly to match up the seasons with the flavors. theres some lemongrass, some alfalfa, and some white pepper, anise, and honey. some floral notes and apple with hints of raisin and sour cherries. not as much funk in this one as others which is oddly disappointing.

Bottle.

Less than a minute after removing the cap, the cork has worked its way half of the way out. A moment later, it explodes powerful against the ceiling. The bottle doesn’t overflow immediately --- but after pouring Pours a rich hazy amber; extremely fruity nose, like long-turned apple cider. In fact, this beer, both in aroma and taste, is all about rotten autumn produce; take the spoiled browning apples and pears, add the refuse from the vegetable garden a coupe of weeks after the first early frost, and blend in the grapefruit husks from last week’s breakfast --- this is what you get, though not in entirely a bad way. Very fruity, peach and pear and over-fermented apple on the front, acid; quite bitter yeast/spice flavors along with some vomit in the close. Strong, apparent alcohol adds some burn and keeps this from achieving the lightness that may have been intended. Altogether a very curious and not entirely pleasant beer. Definitely not one of my favorites from the usually-do-no-wrong Fantome.

Bottle from South Bay Drugs. Poured with a glowing yellow with a glass full of yeast while a fat topping of foam sat above. Aroma was somewhat skunky with a slight reminder of Heineken or some other German beers in green bottles, but a noticeable amount of spiced yeast greets the nose. Flavor is big on Belgian spiced yeast and will also display a grand affection of alcohol content.

750ml bottle. The aroma was the best thing about this saison because it was so interesting. Celery, grass, lemon, lime, butter and honey with a light hint of bandage. The average to large white head was frothy. The body a dark yellow. The flavor was moderately sweet and lightly bitter and moderately acidic. Dry finish with a strong and unpleasant aftertaste of Band-Aid. Medium body and lively carbonation.

Strong clove smell, and typical strong but supple Belgian aroma. Not much head--slightly cloudy. Taste of clove, too, and light body with a strong yeasty flavor. Reminds me of a Belgian white. Interesting but not excellent.

Robe orangée voilée aux reflets rouges surmontée d’une mousse beige jaunâtre épaisse qui persiste. Arômes de poussières, de liège et de levure. Saveurs de citron, de poussière, de liège, d’écorces d’oranges, de levures et d’épices.

Hazy/cloudy blonde/gold. White head, funky, yeast and spice nose. Not particularly as good as the other Fantomes Ive had recently. None the less, herbal, bitter, dry, citrus, cereal, spices, sour, tangy, dusty, dry. The more I had, the more I enjoyed it.

July 2007 - Wonderful fruity and spicey saison. Pale orange color wit good lacing and head. Frutiy, spicey with perfect blend of pepper, spices and fruit with the required barnyard funk. Call me crazy, but something in the spices tasted like Mountain Dew...and it seemed to work well. Really an excellent showing.